Millington Lofts – 5 & 7 Millington Street
One of only a few freehold loft conversions in Toronto, the Millington Lofts are stunning examples of exciting world class design. Spectacular soaring atriums above circular metal stairs, unbelievable glassed-in ground floor courtyards, 1,000 square-foot roof gardens, you can’t ask for much more. Featured on the Cabbagetown Tour Of Homes, these incredible New York-style lofts were built in 1915 and were once the stables to the Metcalfe Mansion (circa 1875) at 37 Metcalfe Street.
The entrance to 5 Millington Street, one half of the Millington Lofts
When Metcalfe Mansion was originally built, the Baroque Italianate-styled house faced onto Winchester Street (its former address was 75-79 Winchester Street). The house was substantially remodeled in 1891. In 1910, some of the property for the house was sold for apartments (the rather famous Hampton Mansion Apartments at 77 Winchester), and the house was remodeled again, this time facing onto Metcalfe Street. Architect John Wilson Gray was responsible for 1891 remodeling, the others seems lost to history.
The old Metcalfe Mansion as it looks today at 37 Metcalfe Street
The mansion was designated heritage by Toronto in 1981, but there is no mention of the coach house on Millington. To be honest, it is amazing that the little coach house even survived! I can’t determine when it was originally turned from coach house to living space, when was it converted originally? Since digital land records don’t go back past 1985, I can only get more information down at the city land registry office. If they even have the records, which is not guaranteed.
The Millington Lofts at 5 and 7 Millington Street as they looked in the 1990s
Going back over sales history, the first we see of it on MLS is #5 being offered for sale in 1986. It then sold in 1988 and again in 1989. No photos or much info, so I don’t know if it had been converted yet or not. Bank sale in 1992… Then later that year we see Harry Stinson and Brad Lamb’s name attached to it – back when Lamb worked for Stinson! Before the Candy Factory fiasco that brought Brad Lamb to prominence. But that is another story for another time…
One of the Millington Lofts – 7 Millington Street – after renovation
But then it did not sell and another well-known loft Realtor was involved, same seller. Then again, another agent in 1993. Maybe Stinson and Lamb just created the loft marketing for the property. Anyway, that same year in 1993 we see #7 up for sale. And the photos of that unit from a 1997 listing don’t look much different than more recent shots. The outside got a MAJOR makeover when Core got to it in 2006.
One of the Millington Lofts – 7 Millington Street – after renovation
The renovated of 7 Millington was designed by Core Architects (http://www.corearchitects.com/project/cabbagetown-coach-house). They turned it into an unassuming 2,500-square-foot modern loft near Parliament and Carlton Street. This two-storey unit is not your traditional industrial-looking brick and beam space. The loft is downright sexy with a dark wood kitchen, an interior courtyard, and a cozy fireplace in the living room. There’s a glass staircase and a second floor bridge leading to a master retreat and outdoor patio. And there’s still plenty of natural light with the cut-outs and large skylight.
The Millington Loft at 5 Millington Street with its much more lofty character
Its neighbour at 5 Millington Street retains a more 1980s / futuristic vibe, with rounded bits and lots of glass block. Exposed steel roof trusses give the open concept space some lofty cred.
The Millington Loft at 5 Millington Street retains a more industrial vibe
There are only a handful of lofts in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood, including the Peanut Factory Lofts, a processing plant conversion on Sackville Street and the former home of a certain disgraced CBC host, who has since moved to the Beaches (or his mom’s place).
The unassuming entrance to Millington Street and the Millington Lofts
Today, Cabbagetown is just a quiet neighbourhood amongst classic cottages with the best manicured front lawns in the city. Millington Street is more of an alley than anything, running just one block from Metcalfe Street to Sackville Street. Everything else on the street seems to have been built from around 1983 on. Obviously some sort of renaissance happened in the early to mid-80s in that little pocket.
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Contact Laurin Jeffrey for more information – 416-388-1960
Laurin Jeffrey is a Toronto real estate agent with Century 21 Regal Realty.
He did not write every article, some are reproduced here for people who
are interested in Toronto real estate. He does not work for any builders.
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